Leadership

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Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA President John Berry Statement on Federal Funding Freeze

Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA President John Berry Statement on Federal Funding Freeze https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/federal-funding-freeze-1.png 1920 1920 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 29, 2025 January 29, 2025

By John Berry, National President, SVdP USA

While a federal judge has temporarily blocked a White House move to freeze federal grants and loans, the Society of St. Vincent DePaul USA (SVdP) remains deeply concerned about the impact this action could have on the most vulnerable of our population.

SVdP acknowledges and respects the right of the President and his Administration to implement policies that he campaigned on, but at the same time, millions of low-income Americans depend on federal assistance for rent, food and other assistance to stave off poverty and homelessness. Even a temporary disruption to this funding will likely result in hardworking people being forced out of their homes at a time when homelessness across the country is already on the rise.

As one of the nation’s largest organizations dedicated to preventing homelessness, SVdP urges the White House to take a more discerning and equitable approach to ensure that vulnerable families remain housed. We also call on the Administration to recognize that high rates of poverty and homelessness are unacceptable and represent a crisis of conscience for our nation.

We can debate policies, but first we must open our eyes and hearts to the suffering around us and then change the systems that perpetuate poverty by advocating for affordable housing, living wages and access to quality education and healthcare. Therefore, we ask the Administration to immediately lift the freeze on funding and begin good faith discussions to determine how their goals can be achieved without creating greater suffering among the innocent, whose lives rely on the support of these government programs.

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SVDP USA Will Open Washington D.C. Office to Advocate for Measures to Prevent Homelessness

SVDP USA Will Open Washington D.C. Office to Advocate for Measures to Prevent Homelessness https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DC-office-e1738084944209.png 1152 1101 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 28, 2025 April 2, 2025

Published January 28, 2025

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA (SVdP), which serves more than 5 million people living in poverty a year, announced it will open a second national office in the heart of Washington D.C. this year to advocate on issues related to poverty and homelessness and to expand the organization’s presence among policy makers in the nation’s capital.

Speaking at the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG) in Washington D.C., SVdP National President John Berry said the time was right to take a bold approach to highlighting the causes of homelessness and the steps that can be taken to reduce the number of people who are unhoused.

“The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s unique, personal approach to supporting so many people in need provides a distinct and important platform to drive awareness of how to help at-risk populations,” Berry said. “Homelessness continues to be a pressing issue that is often forgotten. We will use our experience and our national platform to drive greater awareness of this crisis and work to provide solutions that work.”

The soon-to-be named director of the Washington office will help lead the organization’s advocacy efforts, with an initial focus on homelessness among the elderly and families with children.

In December, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s “point-in-time” estimate found more than 770,000 people in the U.S were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024. That was an 18% increase from 2023. This year’s point-in-time survey was conducted on Jan. 22.

At the same time, a separate report showed that the number of older women classified as impoverished rose from 11.7% to 15% in 2023. Today, one in six American women 65 years old or older live in poverty. Among Black, Latina, and Indigenous populations, the poverty rate is closer to one in five.

“Helping these vulnerable populations is something that everybody, right or left, conservative or liberal, can support,” Berry said. “SVdP USA was recently recognized as the 59^th largest nonprofit in the United States, and it is only natural that an organization with a national and global impact as large as ours, should use the knowledge and front line experience that we uniquely obtain through our work to engage in debate and policy creation at the highest levels.”

“At the same time, it’s important to remind people that the work of our 90,000 Vincentian volunteers goes on day in and day out in cities and towns across the country. These are the men and women who make the difficult journeys of their neighbors their own journey, providing help, direction, and Christian friendship.”

Berry’s announcement came amid SVdP’s sponsorship of CSMG, which is the premier annual gathering of U.S. Catholic social ministry leaders. The conference is organized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and this year’s theme, “Missionaries of Hope, Advocates for Justice,” recognized the call to be beacons of God’s love.

Keynote speakers for the four-day conference included his Eminence Christophe Cardinal Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States; Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, President of the USCCB; Dr. Emile Cuda, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, The Holy See; and Most Rev. Joseph J. Tyson, Bishop of Yakima.

SVdP’s Berry and CEO Michael Acaldo also led a discussion about the organization’s mission and the ways it intends to advocate on homelessness prevention in Washington. SVdP’s headquarters will remain in St. Louis.

SVdP’s model includes a wide range of efforts to prevent homelessness and serve communities with tailored programs to serve with specific needs. But the core of the SVdP mission, are the person-to-person encounters that serve as the essence of its ministry. During these encounters, Vincentians may visit the homes of people who need assistance to remain housed.

Encounters also occur wherever necessary to support people in a dignified manner. This assistance runs the gamut from financial help to pay rent and utility bills, to helping with food and prescription assistance, to linking the person with other public and private organizations, to prayer and spiritual comfort. This is efficient, non-bureaucratic and effective in getting people the help they need at that moment – help that is often enough to stave off a pending eviction.

Besides living out Christ’s calling to love our neighbor, SVdP USA believes its approach offers a more cost-effective and humane solution to address the nation’s housing crisis. Research by the National Alliance to End Homelessness reveals that it costs an average of $35,578 per year to support a person who is chronically homeless, including costs for emergency shelters, healthcare, and law enforcement. In contrast, preventing homelessness through early intervention costs, on average, $2,000 per household, according to the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities at the University of Notre Dame.

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Remarks to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Catholic Social Ministry Gathering

Remarks to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Catholic Social Ministry Gathering https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/JohnBerry2024.jpeg 1024 1024 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 27, 2025 January 30, 2025

By John Berry, National President
Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA

“Let us love, not with words but with deeds.” Those words from 1^st John were used by Pope Francis to open the very first World Day of the Poor in 2017, and they remind us of the profound responsibility we share as Christians to act boldly in service to others. Tonight, as we begin this Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, I would like to share some thoughts on how we transform this divine mandate into action.

During our time together, we will be discussing issues important to our ministries and those we serve. We will discuss the calls to action required to address the many needs in the world. And we will also celebrate the profound joy that comes from growing in holiness through our response to Christ’s call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless, welcome the stranger, minister to the sick, and visit the prisoner. The work of every Ministry represented here is a vital lifeline for countless people in need, individuals and families often standing at the brink of despair, searching for a glimmer of hope.

And we must not fail — not in our resolve, not in our compassion, and not in our duty to act.

A new year brings challenges and opportunities. This year, how will WE respond to them as we answer the call to serve? Amongst the excitement of new beginnings, the anticipation of fresh starts, there are also apprehensions about the changes and challenges that may lie ahead. But amidst these feelings, one constant remains: the enduring power of hope. And so, it is proper that the theme of our gathering is “Missionaries of Hope, Advocates of Justice.”

For Hope is the belief that even in the face of adversity, goodness and redemption are possible. It is the conviction that we can overcome obstacles, heal divisions, and build a more just and compassionate world. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

But hope alone is not enough. It must propel us to action, inspiring efforts that ripple outward, create lasting change, and make our world a better place. But we face a difficult challenge when frankly, we sometimes wonder if the world has lost its mind. A world where yesterday thousands of people marched to advocate for the sanctity of life, and politicians came out and spoke to them and had their pictures taken with them and then went right back up the marble stairs of the Capitol and continued to plan how to cut billions of dollars in aid to babies that are born to the poor and the homeless. A world where it is considered acceptable to cut billions of dollars in aid to the homeless, but it’s OK to spend trillions of dollars to plant a flag on Mars.

So, WE must become Advocates for Justice, transforming hope into action, and helping to heal our wounded world.

Our call to serve the poor, the refugee, the sick, and ALL those who suffer injustice and oppression is deeply rooted in Scripture. The Old Testament prophets often reminded Israel of their duty to care for the marginalized. We hear Isaiah proclaim:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”

That call tells us that our work must be holistic and transformative, addressing both immediate needs and systemic injustices.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents us with a clear and unambiguous description of how God will judge whether we lived out his commandment to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Jesus tells us that our service to others is not just a charitable act — but a divine mandate.

In the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, we celebrate a rich heritage of charitable work that has come before us, since our founding in 1833 in Paris as an effort by six college students to find a way to put their faith into action through service to the poor. That small effort has become a fire that lights the world. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul today serves in 155 countries around the world, with 800,000 Members and 1.5 million volunteers. We provided more than 1.49 TRILLION Euros in Service to over 30 million people in 2023.

This year, we will celebrate the 180^th Anniversary of the founding of the Society here in the United States. St. Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, one of those 6 students and the founder of the Society, laid a foundation that continues to inspire us.

Our founders underscored the importance of charity as an inclusive act, not merely an exchange of goods — but a genuine relationship and community-building effort.

Our SVdP core value is deep, personal encounters with those we serve. It is this heritage of compassionate, relational charity that is the foundation of who we are and what we cherish and honor as we move forward.

Our Vincentians understand the words that George Bernard Shaw wrote many years ago, “The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them.” So, the SVdP commitment to a human-to-human, Christ-centered encounter with all those we serve is unwavering and ensures that we are never indifferent to their material needs, but more importantly, we are not indifferent to their need to be seen, to be heard, and to be loved; by us and by God. Our commitment to compassion and service is unwavering.

In his 2017 World Day of the Poor message, Pope Francis wrote:

“We may think of the poor simply as the beneficiaries of our occasional volunteer work, or of impromptu acts of generosity that appease our conscience. However good and useful such acts may be for making us sensitive to people’s needs and the injustices that are often their cause, they ought to lead to a true encounter with the poor and a sharing that becomes a way of life.”

That true spiritual encounter touches us. It enriches us. It is a shared encounter. We Vincentians know that we get more from our encounters with our neighbors in need than we give.

But to be able to alleviate the suffering and need of those who we help, we must also recognize the need for adaptation to a world that is changing around us. Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, challenged us to rethink our approach to charity. He wrote:

“No one can demand that the poor remain on the margins of society, and no one should be indifferent to their plight. We need a Church that is open to the world, which listens to the poor, and which is ready to adapt to their needs.”

While Scripture provides us with timeless guidance, the challenges we face today require a modern lens. Thus, Pope Francis urges us to go beyond immediate relief and address the roots of poverty with innovative solutions.

As we strive to uphold the timeless virtues of compassion and charity, we must be ready to confront the future with boldness and adaptability.

And we must not fail — not in our resolve, not in our compassion, and not in our duty to act.

To serve effectively in an ever-changing world, we are challenged to open our minds and hearts. We must ask ourselves: How can we be more inclusive? How can we address the root causes of poverty, rather than just the symptoms?

The needs of the poor are evolving. And the face of poverty is changing; seniors, women, single parents, and the displaced middle class have become a larger part of the more than 5 million people we serve every year at SVdP USA. For example, today, issues like digital exclusion and environmental challenges require us to consider solutions we didn’t have before. Charitable organizations must be bold and imaginative.

Areas such as new technology solutions can create new avenues for assistance, education, and empowerment, but we must balance those with our commitment to the Christ centered human encounter between people.

As the world evolves, so do the needs of the poor. We know change often meets resistance, especially when it challenges traditions. Yet, it is through change that we grow and better meet the needs of those we serve.

To address the infinite misery of the present and future, we must be willing to think creatively. This means developing better systems to reach more people in an ever more mobile society, collaborating with other organizations such as the ones represented here at CSMG and those beyond the Catholic sphere, to amplify our impact, and continuously educating ourselves about the root causes of poverty and injustice. That is why CSMG is such an important gathering for all of us. Let us not lose this time we have together to strengthen the bonds between our organizations, create new collaborations, and refine our approach to solving the challenges we all face. We need to be open to innovative ideas from all members of our community, especially the younger generation, who bring fresh perspectives and energy to our missions and who we too often overlook.

To address the changes in the world today, and to achieve tangible results and real impact, we must answer the crucial question: What is that great balance that must be achieved between WHAT we do and HOW we do it? What we do is bring love, respect, and compassion, and that must never change. But how we do it must change. Our willingness to adapt will make what we do much better.

This year, SVdP USA is launching new initiatives to channel our hopes into concrete action. I am pleased to announce tonight that we will be opening our second National Office in Washington, DC in March. We will increase our efforts to advocate on behalf of those we serve and turn our focus more intensely towards the pressing issues of our time, particularly the scourge of poverty and homelessness that afflicts far too many of our fellow Americans. Recently recognized as the 59^th largest nonprofit in the United States by Forbes Magazine, SVdP USA provided over $1.7 Billion in services directly to over 5 million people in need last year through our network of nearly 90,000 volunteers. This unique, direct relationship we have with our neighbors in need gives us a perspective and view from the reality of the poor that we will be able to share with policy makers and like-minded nonprofits and other organizations. The new DC office will anchor that advocacy work.

The stark and shocking reality of America and the world today is that millions of our brothers and sisters lack basic necessities — affordable housing, nutritious food, and quality healthcare. Families live on the streets, children go to bed hungry, and the cycle of poverty persists. Imagine a mother putting her children down to sleep on a cold night like tonight — with no bed and no roof overhead. Or a child going to school hungry, unable to focus on learning. This is the reality WE must change.

And we must not fail — not in our resolve, not in our compassion, and not in our duty to act.

This is a crisis of conscience for our nation and every nation. It is a stark reminder that the pursuit of individual prosperity cannot come at the expense of the common good. We are called, as followers of Christ, to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves.

So, how do we translate our hopes and dreams into meaningful action?

Primarily, we must open our eyes and our hearts to the suffering around us. We must acknowledge the realities of poverty and homelessness in our own communities. We must listen to the stories of those who are struggling, and we must seek to understand their experiences.

We cannot help if we do not understand. And we cannot understand if we do not listen.

Secondly, we must challenge the systems that perpetuate poverty by advocating for affordable housing, living wages, and access to quality education and healthcare. When we advocate for policies addressing affordable housing or living wages, we embody Isaiah’s call to ‘loose the chains of injustice.’ Our faith and our actions must walk hand in hand. We must support organizations that are working to address the root causes of poverty, including systemic racism and economic inequality. Our Washington DC office will advocate in partnership with USCCB, Catholic Charities, CRS, and other willing and like-minded nonprofits on these matters. Together we can drive the changes needed to address poverty at its source.

And finally, we must cultivate a spirit of solidarity and collective action. We must remember that we are all interconnected, and that the well-being of each of us is dependent on the well-being of all. We must work together to build a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

As we look ahead, I am inspired by what we can accomplish together. Imagine a community where every child has access to food, every family has a safe place to call home, and every individual feels valued. Together, we can make that vision a reality.

The task before us is daunting, but not insurmountable. We cannot solve the problems of poverty and homelessness overnight. But we can, each one of us, make a difference. We can be a force for good in the world. We can build a more just and compassionate society, a society where everyone can live a life of dignity and hope.

And we must not fail — not in our resolve, not in our compassion, and not in our duty to act.

Our goal must be not just to alleviate suffering, but to encounter the divine in our service to others. By looking to the future with hope and embracing new ways of doing things, we serve in ways that are both meaningful and transformative.

In his 2023 message for the World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis wrote:

“Our daily efforts to welcome the poor are still not enough. A great river of poverty is traversing our cities and swelling to the point of overflowing; it seems to overwhelm us, so great are the needs of our brothers and sisters who plead for our help, support, and solidarity.” … It is easy to delegate charity to others, yet the calling of every Christian is to become personally involved.”

This call to perseverance in the face of what at times seems like hopelessness reminds us that our efforts, though sometimes modest, are significant. Every novel approach, every innovative idea, can make a profound difference. Each of us matters.

Addressing the topic of individual impact, Robert Kennedy once spoke to university students in South Africa amid the struggles against apartheid. Kennedy spoke passionately about how individual effort, which at times can seem fruitless and insignificant, does make a difference. He said:

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

We stand poised to face new challenges with courage and creativity. As we move forward, let us do so with hearts full of love, minds open to innovation, and spirits grounded in the timeless values of our faith.

Together, we can make a difference that echoes through the ages, bringing hope and healing to a world in need.

My Brothers and Sisters, the call to serve is a divine mandate that transcends time and tradition. Let us be committed and courageous in our approach to answering that call.

Let us commit, in the spirit of the Gospel of Matthew 25, to serving Christ in the least of our brothers and sisters.

Let us commit to be courageous in adapting our charitable efforts to meet the evolving needs of the poor.

Let us commit to embrace this new year with renewed hope and a renewed commitment to action as instruments of God’s love and mercy in the world.

Let us commit together to build a beloved community where all are welcome, where all are valued, and where all can flourish.

Let us commit to be bold, compassionate, and innovative as we work together to build a future filled with hope and healing.

And let us commit that our efforts will reflect the love of Christ in every act of charity we undertake.

Together, let us be the light that dispels the darkness, the hands that heal, and the hearts that love unconditionally.

As we move forward with courage and faith; without fear or apprehension let us be inspired by the words of Blessed Frederick Ozanam, ‘Let us not be discouraged; let us be better,’

In closing, I offer you the words of St. Vincent de Paul: ‘Go to the poor: you will find God.’ This simple yet profound directive guides all of us in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in our mission to serve with love and compassion, and I invite you to make it your guide as well.

Thank you and God bless.

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01-23-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

01-23-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/servant-leader-Burgess.png 1200 1200 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 22, 2025 January 23, 2025

We’re More Than You Think

Do you recall why you joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul? Most likely, you wanted to do good works as a “volunteer” — in the food pantry, thrift store, shelter, Home Visit, etc. — and be of service to those in need. It most likely wasn’t that you were looking for a faith-sharing group.

Why have you remained a Vincentian? Of course, it feels good to be of service to those in need. But the need is (always) so great, and we cannot “solve” everyone’s problems — so why do we continue? If you have been a Vincentian for any length of time, I suspect you know the answer: It is because, by the grace of God, that we are able to grow in holiness, in our Vincentian spirituality. How? By the transformative experience of a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, the suffering servant, in those we serve. Being a Vincentian is indeed a calling (by Christ) and it is our vocation.

So, my Vincentian brothers and sisters, the Society of St Vincent de Paul is more than you think. We are not just another agency doing good works — rather, we are Vincentians following a call to (our own) holiness and our own spiritual growth. It is through that growth and orienting ourselves to God that the Holy Spirit works through all of us in service to those in need, making a difference in their lives and ours. In effect, we become missionaries, bringing the Gospel of Christ to someone via a simple act of love. There is no other organization like us!

I would also argue that by emptying ourselves (our egos) and allowing the Holy Spirit inside us, discerning God’s will to guide our lives, can only lead to our own personal growth and transformation. This is no “one-and-done” growth, but rather, an ongoing transformation every day of our lives. Once again, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers us a perfect mechanism to do this on a regular basis. As Tim Williams wrote in a recent Contemplation column, this “Discernment of God’s will, then, is not a single event; a flash of insight that tells us every step to take for the rest of our lives.”

Blessed Frédéric put it this way: “It is not enough to take a superficial glance, you need repeated reflection.”

This “repeated reflection” can occur when we regularly meet Jesus in those we serve. Think about every person’s encounter with Jesus in the Gospel — from Simon Peter, Matthew, and all the Apostles, to the leper, the blind, the hemorrhaging woman who but touched the tassel of the cloak of Jesus and so was healed, and all the rest. With the eyes of faith, each of them was changed/transformed after that personal encounter with Christ. After our personal encounters with those in need, so it must be for us — we are continually transformed and, ultimately the results come not from anything we do on our own, but rather via God working through us.

This a cornerstone of our Vincentian charism — when we open ourselves to personal encounters with those in need, we are changed. We have a conversion of heart. We are able to go beyond our limits — we are transformed. We thus can “See the face of Christ and Be the face of Christ.” We do this in friendship and fellowship with our Vincentian brothers and sisters, serving God in the person of those in need, growing in holiness together. So we become more than an agency or people just giving away food or serving at shelters — we begin to see differently, and to experience Christ directly in service to those in need. Thank God for them!

Richard Rohr puts it this way: “Christ is the light that allows people to see things in their fullness and thus to see Christ everywhere else. In fact, a mature Christian sees Christ in everything and everyone else, which will always demand more of us, and give us no reasons to fight, exclude or reject anyone.”

And, of course, Vincent recognized this when he said “the poor are our masters.”

It is my prayer that you focus on the graces you have received from this beautiful Vincentian vocation, and I hope you invite others to personally experience these graces. You may doubt your “worthiness” or your ability to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. Remember what Jesus said, “It was not you who chose Me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name he may give you.” Echoing the words of Fr. Pat McDevitt, C.M. from a recent retreat, I say to you: My fellow Vincentians — you are special, you are chosen, you are loved, and you are sent. That is enough!

I am confident that if you and I but remember that this unearned grace — the good news of the Gospel in our lives — is enough, then Christ will work through us and be well-pleased with us, his simple and humble servants.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you.

Brian

Brian Burgess
Board Liaison to National Subsidiaries

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01-16-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

01-16-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/servant-leader-john-berry.png 1200 1200 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 16, 2025 January 16, 2025

A New Year Call to Hope and Action

My Fellow Vincentians,

As we stand at the beginning of a new year, our hearts may be filled with a mixture of emotions. There’s the excitement of new beginnings, the anticipation of fresh starts, and perhaps a touch of apprehension about the challenges that may lie ahead. But amidst these feelings, one constant remains: the enduring power of hope.

Hope is the belief that even in the face of adversity, goodness and redemption are possible. It is the conviction that we can overcome obstacles, heal divisions, and build a more just and compassionate world.

This hope, however, cannot be a passive hope. It must be a hope that is rooted in action, a hope that translates into tangible efforts to make our world a better place.
This year, SVdP USA will be taking new and stronger action to channel our hopes into concrete actions. With the opening of our second National Office in Washington, DC in February, we will be creating a base for increasing our efforts to advocate on behalf of those we serve, and turning our focus more intensely towards the pressing issues of our time, particularly the scourge of poverty and homelessness that afflicts far too many of our fellow Americans.

The stark reality is that millions of our brothers and sisters struggle to meet their basic needs. They lack access to affordable housing, nutritious food, and quality healthcare. Children go to bed hungry, families are forced to live on the streets, and countless individuals are trapped in a cycle of poverty that seems impossible to break.

This is a crisis of conscience for our nation. It is a stark reminder that our pursuit of individual prosperity cannot come at the expense of the common good. We are called, as followers of Christ, to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves.

How can we translate our hopes and dreams into meaningful action?

First and foremost, we must open our eyes and our hearts to the suffering around us. We must acknowledge the realities of poverty and homelessness in our own communities. We must listen to the stories of those who are struggling, and we must seek to understand their experiences. In our encounters with those we serve, we must listen with a Servant Heart — not only hearing the facts and numbers associated with the support we give, but hearing their hopes, dreams, and the stories that make them who they are. We cannot help if we do not understand. And we cannot understand if we do not listen.

Secondly, we must challenge the systems and structures that perpetuate poverty. We must advocate for policies that provide affordable housing, living wages, and access to quality education and healthcare for all. We must support organizations that are working to address the root causes of poverty, such as systemic racism and economic inequality. That will be the role of our Washington, DC office and staff. To work with USCCB, Congress, and like-minded nonprofits to drive the change needed to address poverty at its source.

And finally, we must cultivate a spirit of solidarity and collective action. We must recognize that we are all interconnected, and that the well-being of each of us is dependent on the well-being of all. We must work together to build a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

The task before us is daunting, but not insurmountable. We cannot solve the problems of poverty and homelessness overnight. But we, each and every one of us, can make a difference. We can be a force for good in the world. We can build a more just and compassionate society, a society where everyone has the opportunity to live a life of dignity and hope.

Let us, therefore, embrace this new year with renewed hope and a renewed commitment to action. Let us strive to be instruments of God’s love and mercy in the world. Let us work together to build a beloved community where all are welcome, where all are valued, and where all have the opportunity to flourish.

Peace and God’s Blessings,
John

John Berry
National President

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Meet Michael Acaldo, CEO

Meet Michael Acaldo, CEO https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Michael-Acaldo-CEO-St-Vincent-de-Paul-USA-headshot-web.jpg 2048 2048 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 10, 2025 January 10, 2025

From the Bayou to CEO: Meet Michael Acaldo

MICHAEL ACALDO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL when he applied to lead SVdP Baton Rouge. He was graduating from Louisiana State University and just looking for a job. His father filled him in on the details.

“By some miracle, they decided to give the opportunity to someone with no real experience,” he says. Thirty-four years and 11 months later, it’s safe to say that things worked out well.

What Michael noticed right away was that his experience of knowing very little about SVdP was not uncommon. “The Society has been in Baton Rouge since 1865 . . .but there was not much public branding relative to what they did.”

Michael understood that raising awareness of SVdP was essential — both for raising funds and more importantly, for reaching people in need. “Part of the Vincentian spirit is one of humility. But it’s critical you get the word out because that’s what evangelizes for your organization!” he exclaims. “You rob people of that gift if you’re not open about [your work].”

Over the next few decades, Michael’s mission was to help SVdP Baton Rouge become a leader — in providing hot meals, establishing a comprehensive sheltering program, and working with SVdP Conferences all across the region to prevent homelessness. Under his watch, the Baton Rouge Council was SVdP’s first Council in the country to start a foundation and the first to have a community pharmacy. But he also made it a top priority to make sure that the public knew what SVdP was doing. Michael ran major campaigns with all the local television and radio stations over the years, building a reputation around the region that led to sustained fundraising success.

“WE WERE SO BLESSED TO SERVE CHRIST!” he reflects. “Some days we would serve 500 people in our dining room – that’s an opportunity to serve Christ 500 times. And it’s so uplifting to be a witness to 1,500 volunteers helping those in need each month. Both the Vincentian family and those we were blessed to serve — they both touched my soul and my heart.”

Now as the new CEO of SVdP USA, it’s this heart of Christian service that has kept him grounded. “Humility and spiritual growth are the foundation of everything we do,” he says. “And the more we grow spiritually, the more we realize we have to grow.” With God’s grace, SVdP will surely grow under his careful stewardship.

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January is Poverty Awareness Month

January is Poverty Awareness Month https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/povertyusa-logo-pam.jpg 940 788 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 10, 2025 January 10, 2025

January is Poverty Awareness Month

On the Eighth World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis wrote:

“If prayer does not translate into concrete action, it is in vain; 
indeed, ‘faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.’”

January is Poverty Awareness Month, a time for all people of faith to defend the life and dignity of those living in poverty. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul serves the poorest among us, not just during Poverty Awareness Month, but every day of the year. We put faith into action, rooted in love for those we serve as we are called to do.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, released on December 27, underscores the crisis of poverty and homelessness facing America. The report found more than 770,000 individuals were experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2024 — an increase of 18% over last year and an all-time high.

The crisis is growing, and we know that prayer alone is not enough. We are called to recognize those who struggle and to respond with compassion, love, and action. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul brings personalized help to people in crisis, as Vincentian volunteers in more than 4,000 communities across the country provide rental and utility assistance, food, medical care, educational support, and more. There is a transformative power in giving ourselves — our time, our attention, our presence — through these acts of love and service.

Our faith informs who and how we serve, and our service to those living in poverty strengthens our faith. This Poverty Awareness Month, our mission remains unchanged. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is, and forever will be, a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.

– John Berry
National President of SVdP USA

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SVdP North Texas Spotlight: Providing Health and Financial Freedom

SVdP North Texas Spotlight: Providing Health and Financial Freedom https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Prescription-medication-meds-pharmacy-svdp-North-Texas-scaled.jpg 2560 1707 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 10, 2025 January 10, 2025

Providing Health and Financial Freedom in North Texas

After spending 30 years working in finance, Luis Gonzalez sensed the Lord calling him to something new. After a cold call from a non-profit recruiter, Luis made a career change, and now he has been the CEO of SVdP North Texas since January 2022. Under Luis’ leadership, SVdP North Texas has expanded two signature programs that uniquely serve their community.

THE ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHARITABLE PHARMACY is the only freestanding charitable pharmacy in Texas. By partnering with 300 clinics around the state, it uses an Amazon model to ship prescriptions state-wide. The service is completely free to uninsured individuals and has grown from filling 7,000 prescriptions in 2018 to more than 103,000 — or $100 million of medications — in 2024!

“Our pharmacy saves lives,” Luis says. “Most patients receive medication for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.”

“A favorite story of mine about the impact of our Charitable Pharmacy actually involves one of our delivery drivers. Demetray* worked for us for four years delivering medications. After an unexpected hospitalization, he was prescribed daily medications that he couldn’t afford. We were able to enroll him in our program, provide his necessary medicines, and save him hundreds of dollars per month.”

THE MINI LOAN PROGRAM empowers people to find financial freedom by escaping cycles of debt and building healthy financial skills. SVdP North Texas connects individuals to partner banks and guarantees mini-loans of $500 to $4,000 to consolidate predatory payday and auto title loans into a low-interest loan with manageable monthly payments. To date, they have given out 475 loans. Recipients also receive financial coaching for the duration of the loan. When a loan is paid off, SVdP deposits $50 in the participant’s newly established savings account to encourage future saving.

“The spirituality of SVdP is unique. It’s a moment of encounter — encountering Christ in the poor and bringing Christ to them. It’s connecting our faith to works and action. Our motto is ‘Serve in Hope,’ and it is a blessing to show our neighbors in need that they can have hope because they are seen and loved.”

Luis is grateful for the opportunity to lead SVdP North Texas. “I want SVDP donors to know that their support enables us to show our neighbors that God cares for them, especially in their hour of greatest need. It is a privilege to work on behalf of our donors. Thank you for letting us serve in your name!”

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01-09-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

01-09-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/servant-leader-michael-acaldo-1.png 1200 1200 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 9, 2025 January 9, 2025

5 Great Virtues to Center Our Lives On!

As we enter a new calendar year, many of us embrace resolutions or new goals to better ourselves. The focus is usually on the mind, body, and spirit. As a Vincentian family, we have five great virtues to center our new year on — Simplicity, Humility, Gentleness, Selflessness, and Zeal.

Every new year is an opportunity to embrace our Vincentian Virtues. When I undertake a new resolution or change in my life, I often find it difficult to keep my full attention on it throughout the course of a year.

We are thrilled to announce this first publication of our new Frédéric’s Five newsletter, which is built on our five virtues. Every week, you will receive this email, which will be an ongoing reminder to grow and live by these essential elements of our Vincentian life.

This new publication will be shorter, more focused, and much easier to get through in today’s busy world. We will continue the popular Servant Leader column written by our Vincentian leadership. This will be followed by a Feature section highlighting newsworthy content, a compact Q&A section, a Calendar of Events section, and a Faith in Action section. Quick links to important Vincentian resources have also been added.

Our goal is that, by highlighting the five virtues, we help readers to keep each virtue close to their hearts and minds as they read the content.

Where did all these wonderful ideas to change the format of our membership newsletter come from? They came from you, our Vincentian family. Over time, we heard your feedback about the things you loved about the e-Gazette, and the things that you felt could be improved.

I would like to give a shout out of appreciation to Jill Pioter, National Director of Marketing and Communications; Pam Hudson Johnson, National Director of Membership Services; Kristen Blacksher, Digital Communications Manager; Tim Williams, Senior Director, Formation & Leadership Development; and the other Vincentian leaders that took all these thoughts and put them together in this wonderful new format.

As I mentioned above, these changes are from input we have received over time, and we want you to continue to give us input by commenting on this article or emailing us at usacouncil@svdpusa.org. Your input will be a gift to us to share through this new publication.

In my past columns, I have talked about my love and admiration for the many Vincentians that I have been blessed to observe, who live lives full of spirituality, friendship, and service. We are so blessed to have so many Vincentians emulating St. Vincent de Paul in their commitment to the five Vincentian Virtues. For a Fred Talk and more information on our Virtues, visit https://members.ssvpusa.org/our-spirituality/the-vincentian-virtues.

I know all of you are keeping those in California devastated by the wildfires in your thoughts and prayers. Be assured that our National Council and our SVdP USA Disaster Services Corporation will respond with a Vincentian compassionate hand of hope to those impacted by this terrible disaster.

Thank you for making 2024 a great year for our Society, and I wish you and your family a 2025 filled with blessings!

Happy New Year,
Michael J. Acaldo
National CEO

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01-02-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

01-02-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/servant-leader-bobby-kinkella.png 1200 1200 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 2, 2025 January 6, 2025

Many of us Vincentians are familiar with collaboration. We help our neighbors in need by working with many different agencies in order to get their needs met. Paying the rent or utilities often requires working with our state’s Department of Health and Human Services, the Salvation Army, Coalition for the Homeless, TruNorth, Catholic Charities, and so many others. This can be linked to the Biblical teaching of going out “two by two” (Mark 6:7-12; Luke 9:1-6). These passages are the inspiration for going out in pairs during Home Visits, which serves both our neighbors in need and ourselves by making sure we have two sets of eyes and ears to help others. I tend to also think of these passages as giving us another core Vincentian value: collaboration.

There has always been a lot of collaboration with the Voice for the Poor. We often sign letters to Congress concerning funding for SNAP, housing, child tax credits, or FEMA funding, alongside the USCCB, Catholic Charities, Catholic Rural Life and others. Adding our voice to others amplifies our ability to advocate for our neighbors. We do the same thing as webinar speakers when we have worked with the U.S. Census Bureau, Fairfield County Ohio, St Louis Catholic Charities, Cook County Citizen’s Sheriff department, and others. Their expertise and new ideas are great to share with other Vincentians.

At the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering happening January 25 – 28, close to 500 Catholics will gather in Washington D.C. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be collaborating with Catholic Climate Covenant, Bread for the World, Catholic Charities, and the USCCB in various breakout sessions. It was exciting to work with Catholic Climate Covenant — I wasn’t even aware there was a Catholic agency so deeply concerned about preserving our common home. As part of another CSMG committee, I met with Glenmary Home Missioners and learned about their mission to rural America and creating Catholic communities. It was exciting to learn there is a Catholic group out there specifically focused on growing Catholic communities throughout the U.S.

Collaboration takes a lot of work, but it’s often worth the effort. We can do more with others than we can do alone. While we Confirmed Catholics boast of the graces of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit works through many people other than us. As Scripture says, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil” (1 Thes 5:19-22). In that vein, it’s good to mention we cannot collaborate with everyone. The USCCB has been burned in the past by collaborating with a project for feeding people that Planned Parenthood was also participating in, and we cannot make that mistake. We must seek the good while refraining from evil.

For advocacy, one of our strongest collaborators on a state level are the state Catholic Conferences. Our Michigan Catholic Conference is a great resource for bills happening in the state that affect those in need. The Missouri Catholic Conference has pointed to legislation that may be of interest to us. Our newest Voice for the Poor regional leader Pat Brown met with Texas Catholic Conference and talked about affordable housing and ways of improving “landlord and management practices.” You can also join our advocacy efforts here.

Recently, a large family came to our food pantry and asked me for help. We were able to provide some food for them, but they needed much more than our Conference could provide. Because I had those local connections, we were able to meet the needs of this family. Collaboration was the key.

Rarely are we disappointed when we turn to Blessed Frédéric or St. Vincent for inspiration. St. Vincent de Paul was famous for creating houses after getting one million pounds from King Louis of Francis — we Vincentians have been dealing with housing for a long time! Blessed Frédéric turned to Blessed Rosalie Rendu for help training the first home visitors.

Collaboration is part of what we do as Vincentians. Be prayerful to the Holy Spirit, be bold — and collaborate!

Your servant In Christ,
Bobby Kinkella
Chair, Voice for the Poor

Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA President John Berry Statement on Federal Funding Freeze

By John Berry, National President, SVdP USA